asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the Louth County Council have no money wherewith to pay supplementary building grants on new houses; and whether he will take steps to put them in funds for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Louth Supplementary Building Grants.
50.
I am not so aware. I understand that following an increase in the allocation for house purchase loans and supplementary grants, notified to the council in January, 1967, they have now sufficient funds to meet maturing liabilities on these services in the current financial year.
Is the Minister aware that I have here a letter dated 19th January from the local authority in question which states:
I have received your letter of 11th January about the supplementary grant for—Mr. XY — in respect of the erection of a new dwellinghouse. We are not just now able to make payments of supplementary grants. In this case we have made arrangements to raise a loan for the purpose and I hope we will be in a position to do so within the next few months.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that he has been able to accommodate the local authority and that they are now equipped to meet this grant which they admit to be outstanding?
That is the position, that in January there was an increase in the capital allocation to Louth County Council for supplementary grants and house purchase loans. They are now in a position to meet all liabilities which are estimated to mature in the current financial year.
In January, 1967?
Yes.